The Impact of Digital Technology on SMEs: A Research Project Report

This research project investigates the implications of digital technologies on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), specifically focusing on the Small White Elephant cafe. The report explores the concept of digital technology, examining its various elements, such as online presence, digital marketing, and customer interaction, and how these elements can foster the growth and development of the cafe. A literature review synthesizes the views of various authors and previous research, covering topics such as the implementation of digital technologies, the role of social media and big data, and the importance of customer engagement and online security. The research aims to identify ways in which digital technology can be applied to improve the cafe's operations and functions, recommending strategies such as transforming operational processes, leveraging social media, and implementing digital marketing tools to boost efficiency and customer experience. The report also analyzes the significance of the research findings in terms of societal and business benefits, emphasizing the role of digital technology in gaining a competitive advantage and providing insights for researchers and businesses alike.

RESEARCH PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................1
P1. Research proposal............................................................................................................1
P2 Appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research.........6
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................9
P3 Primary and secondary research .......................................................................................9
P4 Appropriate analytical tools for research .......................................................................10
LO 3...............................................................................................................................................14
P5 Communicate research outcomes in appropriate manner for intended audience............14
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................22
P6 Reflect on effectiveness of research methods that applied to meet with business research
project...................................................................................................................................22
P7 Alternative research methodologies with outcomes........................................................23
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................24
ANNEXURE..................................................................................................................................26
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................28
Research Proposal Form.......................................................................................................28
Research ethical form...........................................................................................................31

LO 1
P1. Research proposal
Introduction
Digital technology plays important role to increase productivity, efficiency and
performance of the business. In order to implement new technology, successful operations must
be implemented to run company. Furthermore, it is undertaken to reduce workload and increase
efficiency of the enterprise in succeeding manner. As a result, access of new technology to
launch new goods in global market (Evangelista, Guerrieri and Meliciani, 2014). Moreover, it
aids to improve communication through selected business can communicate their message in
front of large number of audience. Brand value also increases that helps to maintain creativity
and effectiveness at workplace. The present report based on Small White Elephant which is
small cafe in UK. With the help of present report, the company can apply digital technology in
their enterprise to make it large. Furthermore, they can also implement operations in global
areas.
In the present research, impact of digital technology on small and medium sector has
been identified. With this regard, different elements and factors of this technology going to be
explained to find appropriate implementation in business. For instance, Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, etc. Moreover, impact of this tool on business operations considered in successful
manner to find desired results in research study.
Background
White Elephant enterprise deals in SME wants to increase their business operations in
global areas. Hence, digital technology implementation assists to develop significant advantages
in systematic manner. It is a small coffee house which provides light meals, coffee, drinks, etc.
Company wants to enhance their operations and functions to increase their profits and revenue.
As a result, digital technology implementation is one of the important perspectives that increase
significant advantages to ascertain desired results. With the help of using advanced tools and
techniques, the chosen enterprise easily develops desired results in the business. (Mayer, Borges
and Simske, 2018).
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Rationale
Present research consists implications of digital technology on SME. Therefore, it
includes different tools that assists to expand operations and functions in different areas of the
world. On the basis of elements, researcher apply their concept, views on the enterprise to gain
desired results. In this context, new functioning in Small White Elephant can be implement
successfully. When the chosen business implement digital technology at workplace, they can
come out to get strong to make success. Value and opinion considered for taking time and
address feedback as well (Ruch, 2018). Consequently, technology also selected to drive progress
and increase efficiency with successful transition and implementation.
Present research topic has been chosen because recently several businesses opted
innovations in their business to increase their effectiveness. As a result, implementation of digital
technology in small business assists to develop their significant advantages and compete with
other businesses. Furthermore, ways to implement digital technology identify which helps to
gain desired results.
Aim and objectives
Aim: To identify implications of digital technologies on SME – A Study on Small White
Elephant
Objectives
 To understand the concept of digital technology with regards to SME
 To explores elements of digital technology that helps to grow and develop profitability of
Small White Elephant
 To interrelate digital technology and growth of SME business in the chosen enterprise. To recommend ways through which digital technology can be applied in Small White
Elephant
Research questions
 What do you understand by the concept of digital technologies implications towards
SME?
 What are the elements of digital technology that helps to grow and develop Small White
Elephant? How to interrelate digital technology and growth of SME business in the chosen
enterprise?
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Literature review
Literature review consist views of different authors, previous research outcomes, etc.
Hence, it considered rapport with target audience. It assists to build trust to increase diligence
and fact findings to write any research. Following are different themes undertaken to develop
historical concepts.
Concept of digital technologies implications towards SME
As per the point of Sussan and Acs, (2017), digital technologies implement through
social media and big data. It is also helps to gain significant advantages in SME. Innovation also
based on technology and experiment to perform functions in order to develop desired results. In
these types of businesses, SME and digital communication technologies that assists to examine
relevancy of it within the enterprise. It helps to find barriers to take-up desired results in
successful manner. It helps to open several ways that assists to small businesses to make
innovation and creativity. Beside this, Chayko, (2014) stated that digital technology contain
innovation and grow with budget to face challenges of marketing. Majorly, entrepreneurs are
required to focus on latest trends so that they can achieve scalability in their business. This is
because, customer demand and requirements continuously change so that the chosen enterprise
need to focus on digital technology to develop sustainability in succeeding manner. Efforts are
also made to work as key digital marketing trends that assists entrepreneurs to take digital
journey.
According to the views of Patel and O'Kane, (2015), changing in customer behaviour,
technology and competition transformed with landscape to operate successful results. It is
essential to continuously focus on improvement of operations and build effectiveness
successfully. With the help of digital technology, business performances' can be improved.
Furthermore, new software implemented successfully to develop significant advantages at
workplace. Processes are also developed to make desired results in more efficient manner to
develop skills towards business development.
Elements that helps to implement digital technology in Small White Elephant
McKnight, O'Malley and Bassett, (2016) stated that digital technology consist with
different elements that assist to develop significant advantages in Small White Elephant. In this
regard, online presence refers with community and other businesses to make it with digital
technology. In the chosen enterprise online presence includes business website, mobile website,
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social media profiles in which Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc. included. There are
several links, information, reviews, articles, etc. appearing. Digital marketing is also element to
implement advance tools and techniques in the selected enterprise. It helps to promote online
resources to includes blogs, newsletters, email marketing, etc. On the other hand, Johnson,
Becker and Hall, (2016) argued that selling online is important which implemented with digital
technology at workplace of research. Digital technological tools mainly ensure that process time
reduced and positive outcomes successfully develop at workplace. Customer interaction is one of
the important perspective that included in the business to considered minimum efforts. It
supports the enterprise with engagement of buyers and maintain customer relationships
management. Therefore, it helps in capturing and collating information towards clients. With the
help of digital marketing strategies customer information can be gathered easily.
As per the point of Salemink, Strijker and Bosworth, (2017), online security is most
important consideration for business to implement data and information. In this regard,
information can be stored successfully which contain most valuable outcomes towards
customers. Cloud computing ascertain to gain more information and take backup systems easily.
Interrelate digital technology and elements to promote operations and functions of chosen
enterprise
Furthermore, Johnson, (2015) explored their ideas to secure software and payment
system in the business so that they are able to communicate several benefits together. Being
active in digital economy defines to access global and national market that establish potential
supplier relationships. Capabilities also undertaken in efficient and effective manner. There are
different sources considered with online method that assists to embraced digital solution.
Products, services and other quotes also deliver with online medium that assists to develop
significant advantages. On the other hand, Jiao and Onwuegbuzie, (2017) determines their views
mobile based solutions into business considered strategies which include mobile commerce,
websites, applications, etc. This is because, mobile commerce provides option to customers to
transact with using mobile. Furthermore, website scale down on the basis of phone or tablet
screen size. Purpose built that assists to users to accomplish specific tasks.
Moreover, Evangelista, Guerrieri and Meliciani, 2014) contain their ideas that with the
help of using right digital technology appropriate functioning can be built easily. Different
software also helps to increase efficiency with using advance tools and techniques. In this regard,
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more efficient and effective can be develop that process data faster. Digital technology could be
increasing with employee engagement so that it assists to manage time sheets and ascertain
desired results in systematic manner.
Recommendations ways through digital technology can be applied in Small White Elephant
As per the view of Sussan and Acs, (2017), large scale companies have data to
considered big data analysis. Therefore, it helps to take advantages from these data to accomplish
significant advantages. In the SME social media signals assists to increase online communities. It
offers real-time insights to make compliments and considered overall view in the market. With
the help of customer attraction, relationship can be built to gain more profitability and
productivity. There are several tools included in digital technology which offering distinguish
information towards buying experience. On the other hand, Evangelista, Guerrieri and Meliciani,
2014) explored their views that Small White Elephant must requires to include transforming
operational processes so that it improve customer experience in positive way. Enterprise can
leverage to optimise and alter existing process of the company which develop in three ways such
as process automation, worker enablement and performances management. All these
perspectives assist to develop appropriate decision-making process to make easy and right
decisions.
As per the point of McKnight, O'Malley and Bassett, (2016), implementation of
digitalisation improvises current business communications. It assists to Small White Elephant to
coordinate their activities at global level with centralise key services. This includes human
resource, information technology, finance, etc. Moreover, it also increases truly sense of global
business development.
Significance of research
Findings of the present study determines in term of society and business benefits. As a
result, digital technology plays more important role. Recently, there are several tools of digital
technology is on greater demand which includes social media and other tools. It is also helps to
gain competitive advantages in succeeding manner. For researcher, this study assists to
understand and increase knowledge regarding digital technological tools. Hence, new theory or
learning considered in respect to implement digital technology at workplace.
Activities and time-scale
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In the present research, there are several activities design to identify appropriate
functioning in order to achieve aim and objectives. With this regard, following are certain
elements design that assists to develop more significant advantages in research:
Activities of
research
plan
1th
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k
2nd
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k
3rd
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k
4th
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k
5th
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k
6th
Week
7th
Week
8th
Week
9th
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k
10th
Week
Selection of
the research
topic
Literature
Review
Research
methodology
Preparing
questionnair
e
Data
collection
Data
interpretatio
n and
analysis
Conclusion
&
Recommend
ation
Modification
as per
feedback
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Final
submission
P2 Appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research
In order to carry the present study, it can be stated that there are different tools and
methods has been implemented. In this regard, primary data collected from questionnaire which
prepare to conduct survey. On the other hand, secondary data determines through already
published papers, articles, books, journals, etc. (Mackey and Gass, 2015). Following are research
tools has been used for analysis appropriate data and information: Research design: Research design consist an arrangement of conditions and collection. It
includes methods and procedures to measure different aspects of variable in succeeding
manner. Design also assists to conduct study by using different methods. There are
certain types of research design such as descriptive, correlation, semi-experimental,
review, etc. In the present study, descriptive research design has been taken which is used
to conduct survey on the basis of questionnaire (Smith, 2015). Present study determines
on implications of digital technology on SME to increase productivity and profitability.
The reason for selecting specific research design is that it assists in gathering in-depth
and appropriate information. Research philosophy: Research philosophy consist belief for particular way where data
gathered, analysed and used. There are two types of research philosophy considered
positivism and interpretivism. In the present study, interpretivism research philosophy
has been selected which define subjective interpretation into reality to understand data in
effective manner. Research approach: When researcher consider qualitative data, inductive approach has
been used and utilised to demonstrate logic (Weber, 2017). It defines consistency
between method, methodology and analysis. This is because, research approach is a plan
and procedures which consist certain steps on the basis of broad assumption in detail
program. It is essentially divided into two categories such as approach of data collection
and data analysis. There are two types of approaches such as inductive and deductive.
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Inductive approach is suitable for the present study so that it is selected to gain more
effective results at workplace. Research strategy: In order to gain appropriate outcomes, it can be stated that
qualitative research strategy must be consider in succeeding manner. This research
strategy has been selected because, it is useful to find accurate information that is
required to ascertain effectiveness. In the present research, qualitative strategy has been
used that consider on the parameter of quality information. This helps chosen company to
apply digital technology to develop significant results. Research strategy split broadly
into qualitative and quantitative methods. Designing research set also helps to identify
issue that are occurred in implementing digital technology at workplace. On the other
hand, quantitative research strategy based on explaining phenomena that collected by
numerical data and analysed on the basis of mathematical methods so that it has been
selected. Data collection: Qualitative study conduct for the aim and to ensure that greater level of
in-depth information has been used to understand about data. It is closely related with
different types of questions. Hence, this consider at workplace of research to collect
appropriate data and information (Saunders, Wong and Bradbury, 2018). Primary data
collection determines with qualitative methods which not consider mathematical
calculation. It considers closely associated with non-quantifiable. Questionnaire has been
prepared to collect primary data and it is distributed with the help of mail. Data analysis: There are two kinds of methods to collect data probabilistic and non-
probabilistic. In the present study, probabilistic method used for data analysis in respect
to find appropriateness and effectiveness. Data analysis consider methodology which
contain discussion about methods that are used in it. This method generally used to
analyse primary data that are collected by employing various method. In this way, aim
and objectives easily accomplish with consideration of thematic data analysis (Brannen,
2017). Sampling: In research, sample is group of people, object and items that are undertaken
from larger population measurement. Sample must be representative of whole population
which ensure that we can generalise findings from research sample. Present research
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based probabilistic in which simple random sampling method has been used (Guthrie,
2015). 30 sample size has been selected that are employees of the Small White Elephant.
 Validity and reliability: Present research is valid and reliable because investigator has
taken all data and information from valuable sources. It indicates that researcher will get
appropriate and fruitful results in the study. Furthermore, information is reliable because
it also aids to conduct further research study which are related with digital technology
implementation. Therefore, it can be stated that results occur in similar context which
gain from present research and also conducted in further studies.
LO 2
P3 Primary and secondary research
 Ethical issue: In the present research, researcher need to concentrate on
appropriate information and data that not harm anyone. Furthermore, it is
essential to respect for privacy. Researcher need to ensure that they maintain
security to kept confidentiality in private data. As a result, it can be stated that
appropriate and effective information will be gather to find right conclusion.
 Cost- In this, it estimates approximation of cost program, Project and operation.
The value estimates a single total value of whole project or business. It will be
inclusive of activities as are planning, estimating, budgeting, funding, managing
and controlling cost relates to projects within approved budget. Thus, the total
cost of this project will be £50. This is need to be estimated in terms to determine
the impact of technological advancement on firm operation. Thus, estimation of
project requirement is typical task but it is need to be done in order to get project
quality assurance.
 Access issue- In this, researcher will face issues at time of collecting data and
methods in manner as primary and secondary. As per primary data there can be
gaining in terms to have access to participants of study. It will need to get
resolved effectively. With help of it, depth information can be gathered. On the
other hand, researcher faces the issues in terms of restricted access to journal
article. In this, permission will be granted from accessing of full article. It is need
to be maintained in order to have confidentiality of information.
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P4 Appropriate analytical tools for research
Theme 1: Technical tools helps to establish proficient working in enterprise.
Do you think technical
advancement helps to carry
proficient working in
enterprise? Frequency %
Yes 15 50.00%
No 12 40.00%
May be 3 10.00%
Total 30 100.00%
Theme 2: Majority says effective and advanced working helps to foster growth of an
enterprise.
2. What are the advantages of
implementing technological
advancement in firm? Frequency %
Fast performance 11 36.67%
Advanced and effective
working 12 40.00%
quality result 7 23.33%
Total 30 100.00%
Theme 3: Yes, digitalisation is cost effective process.